Mercedes S-class versus BMW 7 or ..... 5 ?

[Mick Briesgau]

I'm still torn between a FL S-Klasse and a BMW 7er. Yeah, I know, not very consequent. Somehow I can't make up my mind, yet. The new 5er G30 doesn't make it any easier. Because imo the 7er and 5er are very close to each other. So close, that I can't think of a valid reason to pick the 7er over the 5er. Sure, the 7er has more roomspace and a tiny bit better fit and finish inside.
Everytime I think: "ok, go for the 7er, you can always go back to the S", the following thought enters my mind: you might as well take the 5er!
What do you guys and girls think? If BMW, should I go for the 7er or 5er?
PS in all cases a 3.0 litre diesel.

 

[Giannis]

Have you tried to step in a 5er for a short drive after stepping out of your S?

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Have you tried to step in a 5er for a short drive after stepping out of your S?

I'm going to. Won't be before april.
Edit; I've driven a 5er for 15 months and > 98.000 km in 2004/2005 (E60 530d). It's still in good memory.

 

[SKY]

I've been in London recently and seen several 7ers and 5ers within the same hour. While the 5er looks very good, I believe the 7er has the edge in terms of styling. Particularly on the rear end. Just going by the looks I would rather take the 7er over the 5er.

Regarding the S-Class FL, I think you only have to wait a few days to see how it looks. The current one still looks amazing with the AMG pack. I can't see the FL looking any worse.

To me what you say about the 5er vs the 7er also applies with the E-Class vs the S-Class. Do you really need the extra size and the comfort the bigger cars offer? I do see a difference between the 7er/S-Class and their respective smaller brothers.

I would go for the FL S-Class or for the 730d with the M Kit. You can hardly go wrong with any of those, honestly.

 

[mercpassion]

I would certainly stick to the S or 7, as you would most likeley see a notable step down in terms of size and the general feel of the car, personally I would wait for the S Class FL, especially considering it would additionally offer a few more tehnical and design enhancements..

 

[Mick Briesgau]

To me what you say about the 5er vs the 7er also applies with the E-Class vs the S-Class. Do you really need the extra size and the comfort the bigger cars offer?

imo the difference between E and S is much bigger than between the 7er and 5er. The extra size I don't need at all. It's the way a S drives, that has got me into this range of cars. What's becoming more and more of a nuissance, are the prices they ask for S and, on a lesser scale, for the 7er. The price gap between my first S in 2006 and my last one in 2014 is more than € 30.000...That hurts and is another reason I'm thinking about buying a 7er or even a 5er.

 

[SKY]

imo the difference between E and S is much bigger than between the 7er and 5er. The extra size I don't need at all. It's the way a S drives, that has got me into this range of cars. What's becoming more and more of a nuissance, are the prices they ask for S and, on a lesser scale, for the 7er. The price gap between my first S in 2006 and my last one in 2014 is more than € 30.000...That hurts and is another reason I'm thinking about buying a 7er or even a 5er.

Well... That is the first thing to consider, yes. When giving advice, we sometimes forget it is other's money we are talking about. I was speaking under the basis you are really willing to spend the money they ask for these cars, which is a lot, no doubt about it.

I would drive the entire set of candidates and judge if the difference, whatever it is, is worth the price premium in your opinion.

 

[Giannis]

imo the difference between E and S is much bigger than between the 7er and 5er. The extra size I don't need at all. It's the way a S drives, that has got me into this range of cars. What's becoming more and more of a nuissance, are the prices they ask for S and, on a lesser scale, for the 7er. The price gap between my first S in 2006 and my last one in 2014 is more than € 30.000...That hurts and is another reason I'm thinking about buying a 7er or even a 5er.

Why not keep your current S for more years?

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Why not keep your current S for more years?

Good question. Sometimes I think, it's the only sensible choice.
On the other hand, the car has driven by now almost 170.000 km. It's a fact, that second hand cars in this class, still bring some money when you sell them before the 200.000 km mark is reached. Second, it's a pre FL model. If driving longer in a model, I'd always prefer the FL. Third, as you perhaps remember, I've had some issues with it, all been taken care of. Still, they could come back and I don't think MB will be so considerate (costwise) anymore when the car has 250.000 km on it and is 4 years old. Fourth, parts are going to wear down/out. That's going to cost some serious money. If I can sell it before that's occuring, I'll save some money and have no troubles with wearing out when buying a new one.
Aahh, those first world problems...

 

[klier]

You compare the 5er to the 7er, but would you also compare the E class to the S class?

Edit; looks like you gave your answer

 

[nikola1984]

The choice is easy

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[SCOTT27]

 

[klier]

imo the difference between E and S is much bigger than between the 7er and 5er.

Holland:

E class from Euro 52.528, S class from Euro 95.598. Difference = 43k
5 series from 57.296, 7er from 98,900. Difference = 41k

Contemplating between a 5er/7er/S class while leaving out the E class makes no sense to me. The E class is in the same corner as the others here. If you think about the 5er, you should at least give the E class a proper look.

 

[TMCCL65]

If you don't need the extra room, I would go with the 5er.

 

[Giannis]

Good question. Sometimes I think, it's the only sensible choice.
On the other hand, the car has driven by now almost 170.000 km. It's a fact, that second hand cars in this class, still bring some money when you sell them before the 200.000 km mark is reached. Second, it's a pre FL model. If driving longer in a model, I'd always prefer the FL. Third, as you perhaps remember, I've had some issues with it, all been taken care of. Still, they could come back and I don't think MB will be so considerate (costwise) anymore when the car has 250.000 km on it and is 4 years old. Fourth, parts are going to wear down/out. That's going to cost some serious money. If I can sell it before that's occuring, I'll save some money and have no troubles with wearing out when buying a new one.
Aahh, those first world problems...

Hmm, I forgot you put such much mileage on your car.

Then again, it's not southern Greece you commute in, but Germany and Netherlands, so I doubt the wear will be significant in a few years time.

Edit: Since we talk about wear, the big cost is not in shock absorbers, ball joints and bearings, but in parts of the engine. At some point you will need to replace the valve guides, the starter, the alternator, the AC compressor. These are the parts that cost an arm and a leg. They tend to last more than 300.000km though.

 

[klier]

Hilariously, the old and done and obsolete base Audi A8 is more expensive than either the base 7er or S class over here.
Totally mind-blowingly crazy. Asking more money for such an inferior product.

And even more funny: I was checking the A8 price on the Audi website, when a pop up window appears with a chat fuction for questions. I asked them if they were feeling sick when pricing the A8 like that

No answer, weirdly.

 

[SCOTT27]

You can't really go wrong with the 5er at the moment.

 

[klier]

I think @Mick Briesgau considers the 5er a smaller 7er, while he thinks the E class is more of a bigger C class?

If so, high points for the 5er!

 

[Centurion]

The 5 and 7 series might seem similar but they drive very differently.

While the 5 -Series is a drivers car while the 7-Series is a vessel that completely removes you from you road noise, bumps and wind noise. It offers superior levels of comfort, relaxation and serenity to the 5-Series.

The 5 series is not a smaller 7 series.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Holland:

E class from Euro 52.528, S class from Euro 95.598. Difference = 43k
5 series from 57.296, 7er from 98,900. Difference = 41k

Contemplating between a 5er/7er/S class while leaving out the E class makes no sense to me. The E class is in the same corner as the others here. If you think about the 5er, you should at least give the E class a proper look.

I'm not talking about prices, when I say the difference between S and E is bigger than between 7 and 5. As a car as such, the 5er is closer to the 7er than the E is to the S. When coming from an E, the upgrade to a S is bigger. imo of course.